Bud Foster's New Assignment

KOLD News 13 anchor Bud Foster has gone back and forth between reporter and anchor over his storied career (pun intended). Now it's back to reporting.

Here's the official word from KOLD News 13:

Veteran newsman Bud Foster expands role
KOLD News 13 adds special issue focus to news programming

TUCSON (June 21, 2007) – Tucson’s burgeoning growth, direct involvement in border security and the roller-coaster political seasons on the horizon have prompted KOLD News 13 Television to create a special slot to cover those issues. They’ve put their most experienced newsman on the case.

Starting in later this month, KOLD News 13 Morning Anchor Bud Foster will lead specialist coverage for the new focus.

“Southern Arizona is starting to take its place on the national stage and we want to cover the most important matters in depth. No one in this market has a better resume to do that than our own Bud Foster. And no one is more trusted. His combination of exceptional news skills, deep knowledge of this community and extensive connections at all levels make him a perfect choice,” said Jim Arnold, KOLD Vice President and General Manager.

Foster’s new segments will be aired across the station’s news broadcasts, but will be seen most regularly during the 5 and 6 p.m. programs. He also will continue to fill in as the morning anchor as he is needed and as his new responsibilities allow.

“I’m looking forward to breaking new ground,” Foster said. “My true love has always been uncovering the big stories and interpreting them for viewers. These are exciting times to be starting this new venture and I can’t wait to get started.

Foster will phase out of full-time morning anchor duties as he creates and builds this new journalistic focus for KOLD.

“This allows Bud the opportunity to contribute to every newscast,” Michelle Germano, KOLD News 13 News Director, added. “More people will get to learn – and benefit – from his exceptional know-how.”

Foster is a 33-year veteran of the news industry in Arizona, starting as a producer for Channel 12 in Phoenix. He joined KOLD in 1994 as a reporter and anchor.

He has won more than 30 awards for his work in journalism, and is the only Arizona reporter to drive the U.S./Mexican border from east to west, covering more than 400 miles and resulting in a five-part series and half-hour documentary, “Life Along the Line,” which is used in area schools as a teaching tool.

A native of Indiana, he graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Business Administration. He also has pursued graduate studies in journalism at Arizona State University and in political science at the University of Arizona.